After long usage of lawnmowers throughout the summer season, they need to be properly stored during the winter. It is crucial to winterize your lawnmower before sending them off to the shed to ensure its proper performance. We are going to see how to winterize a lawn mower in this article.
Before keeping your hands on modifying your mower to equip the harsh winter season, you have to collect a few things such as:
- Cut-resistant Gloves
- Ratchet wrench or spanner
- Putty Knife
- Nut Driver
- Wire Brush
These items will help you in the process of winterizing your lawnmower. You can also wear safety goggles to prevent any spills to get to your eyes accidentally. Now, follow these steps carefully,
1. Drain The Fuel Tank
This is the first thing one should do when they are winterizing their mowers. If the fuel or gas is left there, they will become stale and clog the carburetor and engine.
So, add some fuel stabilizers to the gas tank. Now start the engine and run it for a few mins so that the fuel stabilizer gets distributed throughout the machine.
After that, turn off the engine and let it cool. Once you are certain that the engine is cool, take out the remaining gas into a gas can. You can then store this in a safe place or use it for fueling your car if it isn’t mixed with the engine oil.
Now, turn on the engine again and run it until it stops automatically. And start it once again, if the engine doesn’t start we are now certain that the fuel tank is empty.
2. Remove The Spark Plug
This is the most important step in the whole process which will save you from serious injuries. Disconnect the spark plug from the engine. The spark plug will run into the engine to initiate ignition for the combustion process. If you remove it, the engine won’t accidentally start.
3. Disconnect The Blade
You don’t want your blade to sit there throughout the winter and become rusty. If that happens, you would have to change the blade because it won’t cut the grass as efficiently as before. So, restrain the movement of the blades with a clamp and wooden block.
Then start unbolting the bolt that attaches them to the crankshaft. Make sure you rotate your spanner clockwise to loosen the bolt. If you rotate, anti-clockwise you might end up tightening them.
Once you take out the blade, use a metal grinder to sharpen the blade edges and smooth its surface. You can either bolt them back or wait for the spring to come.
4. Empty The Oil
The old engine oil will do more harm than good if not replaced. So, we are going to remove the engine oil. If your lawnmower has 4 stroke engine, you will need to change the oil. Lawnmowers with 2 stroke engines have their oil mixed with the gas.
Keep a pan ready before extracting the oil to catch the spillage. Remove the oil reservoir tube from the engine. Now steadily lower the tube facing the pan. You can see the oil spilling into the pan. Make sure you are wearing a safety goggle because the oil can spatter on your face too.
5. Replace The Air Filter
Air filters get easily clogged after several uses. Hence, it is advised to clean your air filter periodically. This can prevent any unnecessary carburetor malfunctions.
If you are using an air filter with a paper filter, replace the paper with a new one. If your lawnmower has an oil sponge filter, take it out and wash it with clean water thoroughly. Let it dry off completely, then add some oil to it before putting it back into the filter.
6. Change The Spark Plug
As we know, a spark plug initiates the ignition in the combustion chamber which causes the engine to run. These spark plugs lose their quality in performance over time. So, when you are winterizing your lawnmower, try and replace these spark plugs.
They are not only cheap but also easy to fix. You can replace these old spark plugs with new ones which will result in better performance of your lawnmower.
7. Final Words
Make sure to store the collected gas in a safe place. And properly dispose of the engine oil as it is hazardous to humans and the environment. Make sure to cover the lawnmower with a bag or cover to prevent any dust from settling on them.
Apply the parking breaks on them so that they won’t roll off while parked. Your lawnmower is now perfectly ready for the upcoming winter.